Bearing gifts
Crowded
SPOKE
for sick kids Students give stuffed bears to hospital.
A
Pages
behind bars Animal shelters are overflowing after the holidays
LEARNING NEWSROOM FOR JOURNALISM STUDENTS
Page 5
Quit smoking and get a big payout By JANELLE SCHEIFELE Interested $ 1 000 ? The goal
in
smoke-free for the entire sixweek contest, keep onceweekly contact with the
winning
buddy (who is also eligible to win a prize if his now nonsmoking friend does), must
,
for
-
be smoke-free six weeks between Jan. 20 to
and March 3. The catch - you must currently smoke daily or almost every day, be a full- or parttime student and have a friend who is willing to support you. This is the first year that Conestoga College has been involved with Leave the Pack Behind, a campaign to get college and university students to quit smoking. This program provides information to students about tobacco and cigarette smoking, the tobacco industry and second- and third-hand smoke. They also provide resources for friends
and families
smokers so they can support them when
be willing to promptly reply to Leave the Pack Behind officials if contacted and provide a urine sample to test for tobacco and show school ID. But while this contest may not appeal to all students who smoke, the money prize is a good incentive. “It’s an extra push,” said
Meghan
PHOTO BY JANELLE SCHEIFELE
one outside Conestoga College could get emptier smoking where they could win $1,000.
Ashtrays quit
like this
if
students sign up for a contest to
they are ready to quit. Registration began at the beginning of December and closes Jan. 19 at 11:59 p.m. So far, Conestoga has had “four or five” people register but their goal is to have at least 50-60 people sign up.
ipants
the
to get
more
first
partic-
week
of
January, during orientation week, said Chantelle Koeslag of Student Health Services.
Upon
students
registration,
receive a “Quit Kit,” which includes a pen, ruler, support book, mints, a magnet and
notepad,
all
in
a neat
drawstring bag or handy er.
little
fold-
However, there are also
resources available fcr friends and family members who want to support them and also for people not yet ready to commit to quitting.
Participants are permitted to
a
sec-
reason.
of
They hoped
Kirkpatrick,
ond-year business insurance student. However, she said everyone needs to have the willpower to quit.” Koeslag encourages smokers to quit for one other good
use quitting aids such as the patch and are also encouraged to make use of helplines, support groups, local health units
and campus
counselling.
In order to qualify for the $1,000 draw at the end of the contest, participants must quit smoking and remain
“What better incentive to quit than to live longer?” To register visit Health Services at the Doon campus in Room 1A102 or contact them by calling 519-748-5220, ext. 3679. For more information you can also visit the Leave the Pack Behind website at leavethepackbehind.org.
BATTLING BOTS duke
it
out on campus
Non-smoking week
makes
quitting contagious
National event raises public health awareness By SARAH MACINTOSH
Throw out your
and Kat Koch, has
First-year general arts
science student,
lighters
and cigarettes, National Non-Smoking Week is here!
already taken the initiative to and drop the bad habit. “Fve already started to quit
try
smoking but I think for me more for the financial
This public health education effort helps raise awareness about the dangers of
it’s
smoking and helps people
value,” said Koch.
take control of their habit. National Non-Smoking Week 2010 began yesterday and goes until Jan. 23. According to the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control, a recent study that was pub-
Tobacco products shorten your life. Also, just like primary smoking, second-hand smoke can cause death. Canadians need to be aware of the dangers and need support to help stay away from smoking. Non-Smoking National Week has been an ongoing event for more than 30
lished in the New England Journal of Medicine proposes that quitting could be contagious.
Researchers
when
found that people in an individgroup quit,
it
inspires the individual then quit too.
to
ual’s
social
issues
rather
the
social
making and how it will affect their lives and others. “I think the themes will help raise questions to the
years, as it was established in 1977 by the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control. Every year there’s a differ-
ent theme for the
the 2010 theme is “Quitting is contagious, pass it on!” The themes are to help inspire smokers to think about the choices they’re
week and
smokers
and
make them
think more in depth about their decisions,” said Koch. “However, in the big picture, a smoker won’t make the decision unless they have a personal reason to.” According to the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control, over 16 per cent of all deaths in Canada over the span of a year are related to smoking. The good news is, in the last five years smoking has decreased at least 15.4 per cent throughout Canada.
PHOTO BY ALEX COOKE competed in a race recently. The most recognizable competitor was Bob Mair’s replica of Johnny 5 from the ’80s flick. Short Circuit. See Page 7 for story and more photos.
Student-built robots
NEWS
Page 2 ‘SPOKE
Now deep thoughts ...
with Conestoga College
Random
questions answered by
Monday, January 18, 2010
Burlesque beneficial
Chinese
new year has
By LISA BUCHER
romantic twist
random students By MICHELLE SOIVHVIER
What
is
your favourite
Red roses and candy hearts that read “Be mine” are not the typical Chinese New Year-style of decor, but this
winter outdoor activity?
year
is different.
The year “Snowshoeing. It’s a good workout and you get to walkthrough a forest.”
Rikki Crooks, first-year
legal administration
of the Metal Tiger,
2010, has fallen
for,
on, Feb. 14, a date
or rather
commonly
recognized as Valentine’s Day. Chinese families all over the world will be celebrating this new year, some choosing to do so over a traditional 15-day period.
Curtis Chim is a student at the University of Waterloo and is vice-president of the
Chinese is
skating.”
important customs that think everyone does. First
Stephanie Keeler, first-year
I
is
a get-together dinner, typically on the night of New Year’s, but it can be a little bit before. Everyone from your family This is the “must” attend.
legal administration
“I
like to play
something
hockey.
I’ve
It’s
always
played.”
Nick Brewer, first-year
broadcast television
dinner during which you could probably see everyone you are even remotely related to. Large families can book up to half a Chinese restaurant,” he said. The second tradition is visiting your relatives. In China,
where there are
a 12 -year cycle.
The Jessica Walters, third-year
accounting
“Back home,
I
played
hockey.”
website
Edsitement
explains how the zodiac signs replace numbers. “Unlike our calendar, which numbers the years progressively from a given time (the birth of Christ), the Chinese calendar is cyclical ... after the 12th year, the cycle is repeated.” There are 12 animal signs, each representing one of the years.
Chim
Victor Palaisy, first-year
mechanical technician
how
the elements work with the zodiac signs. “Together with the five elements, fire, metal etc., this brings our cycle to 60 years.” explains
Why not put those monotonous crunches and squats to rest along with your dull yoga uncomfortable your and pilates, and spice up your 2010 fitness routine with burlesque, the artistic dance of cheeky seduction? Burlesque not only provides an opportunity to learn a seductive boudoir routine and allows you to connect with your body to discover your feminine and sensual nature, it also provides an amazing core-focused workout. Like yoga and pilates, burlesque doesn’t provide a high intensity cardio workout. It consists of complex, subtle, core-based movements such as shimmies and shakes, bumps and grinds, hip circles
and quivers, accompanied by some sexy music, props and your personal sass. In order to see results and to pick up the dance techniques, Heidi Crocini, a certified sensual dance instructor who teaches weekly classes at Flo Studio in Guelph, recommends practising twice a
week
for at least 30 minutes along with taking a weekly class. However, if you are feeling really motivated she said, “You can get a great butt, abs
in as little as 30 days, however, it will require regular daily practise.”
Students sequence
learn
first
a
movements
of
before a chair is added to the routine, then long black gloves. “By the end we will have a full routine.” Her classes are burlesque-influ-
enced
with
modern dance
techniques, belly dance and Egyptian belly dance, with some elements of tantric dance. There are other benefits too. “Women find themselves gaining more confidence and openness, as well as an overall feeling of contentment,” said Crocini. Former student. Tiffany Mitchell, said, “She is encouraging, confidently sexy and humble with a down-to-earth and playful feel to her that makes one feel comfortable going outside of their comfort zone. I loved the class for this reason and because it ignited a part of me that I have allowed to lay dormant.” Crocini’s classes are every Thursday at Flo Studio in Guelph from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. They cost $10 a class and $35 for four classes and her private lessons are $30 an hour.
She can be contacted at eroticmovement@gmail.com
HAVE THE SUMMER OF YOUR
LIFE!
official holi-
days for the occasion, many make good use of this time to spend it with their family. The Chinese believe in a cychcal calendar, which runs
“Tobogganing with my kids. It keeps them outside and it keeps them happy.”
.
Students
Association. He knows how important the New Year’s celebration is to everyone. “Typically, there are two
“The only thing I’m good at
and arms
CAMP WAYNE FOR GIRLS
a children’s sleepaway camp in northeast Pennsylvania (6/1 98/15/10). If you love children and want a caring, fun environment we need Counsellors and
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Aerobics, Self-Defense, Video, Piano. Other
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LAST-DITCH EFFORT Aunaur, KFota.
enjoy tobogganing. with friends.” “I
mtamisrs
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you POUT UKCMCAUPI POUT u«e you... tjow.
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Lisa Koening, first-year
legal administration
Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent! vnmir.ld»«nlitwx«ni
NEWS
Monday, January 18, 2010
SPOKE ‘Page 3
Marketing students build smiles By MITCH
M UIR
The smiles at Cambridge Memorial Hospital were as big as a full grown bear. On Dec. 18, students representing the marketing program from Doon campus dropped off a gift for the holiday season; 18 Build-A-Bears. “We, (in the retail) class, talked about it, and I asked students if they’d be interested in purchasing a product, and then we talked about possibly donating,” said Dea Watson, a professor in retail marketing at
Doon campus. The students dug deep into their own pockets and came up with enough money to buy 18 bears. They originally didn’t decide to
donate the fuzzy friends to the hospital.
“A friend of mine works in emergency,” said Watson. “We toyed with a couple of different charities, threw some names around, and the charity we chose didn’t actually accept stuffed animals.” Watson and her nurse friend
talked
and decided that Cambridge Memorial would love the donation. They both thought the hospital would be excited again
is one of the most unique retailers around. “Other places, you just go buy a teddy bear, so we felt when we’re donating to
believes Build-A-Bear
the kids, we’re putting more love into the heart (on the bears).” In the end, she wanted the kids to feel important. “They know someone is thinking of them and that people out there care and want
them to get better and healthy.” The program is something the students want to have happen again. “It’s nice to get something at Christmas because they otherwise may not get any-
in the pedi-
department, so the class decided to the donation between the kids and
there and they can have that merry Christmas.”
Watson said. The hospital had nine beds split
some bears.” The bears were built at the Build-A-Bear Workshop in Fairview Mall. Vanessa Clemmer, a third-year business administrative marketing student,
thing,” said Renshaw. “It’s nice for the families to see people that care about their children in a different way.” Clemmer knows the class achieved the ultimate goal it set out to accomplish. “I think even just holding and having that bear shows them that somebody is
about this type of thing. “We only have 18 bears, so we wanted to make sure it would cover pediatrics,”
atric
the emergency department. Kristin Renshaw, a thii’d-year marketing student, enjoyed the whole project. “We thought it might be a nice idea with the Christmas season coming up to build
PHOTO BY MITCH MUIR
On
Dec. 18, students from Conestoga College’s marketing program paid a
visit to
Cambridge Memorial Hospital
to spread
some
holiday cheer. The
students purchased 18 stuffed bears and donated them to the pediatric
and emergency departments. Vanessa Clemmer and Kristin Renshaw (in presented the donation on behalf of the entire program to Deborah Snider (in back) from the pediatrics department. front)
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Page 4
COMMENTARY
SPOKE
Monday, January 18, 2010
Getting past
Olympic issues By NICOLE HANNUSCH
2010 has finally arrived, and the Vancouver Olympics are fin all y only weeks away. Whether they will be a dream or a nightmare has been a topic of heated debate. Anti-Olympic groups strongly oppose the Games taking place in Vancouver. They claim the land was originally settled and colonized with virtually no treaties, and therefore, the Olympics are taking place on stolen ground.
However, the Olympic committee has been extremely BBC news has reported First Nations head Tewanee Joseph as saying the Games would be a great opportunity for Aboriginals to vigilant in involving Aboriginals.
be seen as entrepreneurs, business people, visual artists and performing artists with a thriving culture. They will have a $3. 5-million Aboriginal multimedia art display at the Vancouver city centre during the Olympics and the medals were designed by Aboriginal artist Corrine Hunt. Olympic organizers have also given $54 million in construction contracts to over 100 Aboriginal businesses, roughly 10 per cent of the $580-million overall con-
Will the
$110
million
spent to support our Olympic athletes result
in
gold?
Colleges and union need
struction budget so far.
The
Olympic budget
$ 1.7-billion
is
to set a better example
also heavily criti-
The 1976 Montreal Olympics instantly comes to mind for anyone who can remember the 30 years it took to pay off the debt, leaving some people worried and unwilling to risk another huge deficit. However, the Calgary Olympics in 1988 actually had cized.
and Appointments Council and Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union (OPSEU). Your immaturity
a surplus, so a deficit isn’t a certainty. One thing that hasn’t faced much criticism is the Own The Podium program that was created to help Canadian athletes excel. Some were given money so they could focus exclusively on their sport instead of working as well, while others will benefit from new technology. The Olympics should be an event where the world sets aside its differences and comes together to enjoy the challenge of sport. As the host, Canadians should embrace the overall positive experience, show off our national pride and be happy our beautiful country is being showcased to the world.
year-old college student, could even fathom. And that is coming from the same guy who has never ironed his shirt, or tied a Windsor knot, and just recently discovered the pitfalls of mixing dairy and
editor. Letters
than
dynamics (IPGD) classroom would at least select repre-
Spoke reserves the
should be
right to
signed and include the
edit any letter
name and telephone
for publication.
number of the
Address correspon-
Writers
will
writer.
be contact-
dence
ed for verification.
No unsigned
The
letters will
Doon
be
Letters should
be no longer
to:
Editor,
Spoke, 299
Valley Dr.,
Room 1C30,
published.
sentatives who practise what they preach. This is the same class that so eloquently (degradingly) pointed out effective communication involves speaking clearly. The class that reminded us to say “the blue bird flew away” instead of “the flew bird away blue.” Are you telling me those golden nuggets of knowledge don’t have real-world appli-
500 words.
Kitchener, Ont.,
N2G4M4
demands would
cost an addi$218 million a year. The union says the cost is actually closer to $20 million. Did everyone go to journalism school? How can these two groups be almost $200
tional
cations?
Allow
me
don’t care
to
be blunt.
I
what the issues
are. I
don’t care if the teachers
want
to fight for their right
make what they believe is a fair wage and work what they believe is fair value for that wage. I also understand the colleges’ hands are tied. This is bad timing. We are in or just coming out of a recession depending on who you talk
Insulted? Good. You would think the same people who ask first-year students to spend their Friday afternoons sitting in an interpersonal and group
welcome
letters to the
Cowan Opinion
to
alcohol.
The views herein represent the position of the newspa-
Spoke welcomes
Greg
during contract negotiations has surpassed what I, a 21-
per, not necessarily the author.
Letters are
the sandbox and blaming it on the dog. Sure mom and dad will argue, but in the end the people affected most the next morning are the kids. The colleges say the union’s
Nice work College Compensation
Money is tight and demand is high. to.
But what really grinds my gears is when one side says they want to raise workload X per cent and that will cost Y dollars, and the other side
million apart in their estimates? It’s ridiculous. However, at the very least
would expect two groups
be able to disagree without having to storm away from the bargaining table every month and then distort the numbers. If not, I suggest dropping the IPGD class and forcing us to take an accounting course. At least that way we will leave college knowing
how
to distort
numbers
so
they back our positions in
calculates remarkably differ-
future conflicts. Besides, think of all the money the students would
ent numbers.
save without having to spend
The he said/she said gamesmanship is laughably sad.
$75 on an IPGD textbook. I wonder how quickly that book with its hefty price was
It’s
the bureaucratic equivadrunken dad peeing in
lent of
agreed upon.
SPOKE IS
PUBLISHED AND PRODUCED WEEKLY BY THE JOURNALISM STUDENTS OF CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Editor: Mitch Muir
Production Managers: Dane
Advertising Managers:
Justine Reist and
Nick Dasko
Spoke Online
Batt, Nicole
Brason, Chris
Hannusch and Michelle Sommer
Circulation Manager: Freeman Carter Editors:
Gillian
Webber and
Greg Cowan
The views and opinions expressed
Photo Editors: Stacey Falconer,
in this
newspaper do not necessarily
reflect the views of
subject to acceptance or rejecbon and should be cleariy written or typed; a
Conestoga College. Spoke
MS Word file would
be
Nicole Frank
Kitchener, Ontario,
Faculty Supervisor and Adviser:
Phone: 519-748-5220,
Christina Jonas
3694
Alex Cooke,
Sarah Macintosh, Lisa Bucher, Janelle Scheifele and
helpful. Letters
shall not
Fax:
N2G 4M4. ext.
3691, 3692, 3693,
519-748-3534
Email: spoke@conestogac.on.ca
Spoke’s address
be
liable for
must not contain any
is
I
to
299 Doon
Valley Dr.,
any damages arising out of errors
libellous statements.
Room 1C30,
in
Website: www.conestogac.on.ca/spoke
advertising beyond the
amount paid
for the space. Letters to the editor are
OPINION
Monday, January 18, 2010
Animal You opened me Christmas morning. You seemed so happy to see me. I wiggled and licked your face excitedly thinking I had finally found a best friend. I promised you I would never leave you as 1 laid beside your bed at night, making sure 1 kept your feet warm while you talked and laughed with friends. I made
my
when people visit and you beamed me when I sat so nice-
cutest face
came down
to
at
ly. Y/e played in the backyard everyday and you brushed my
fur so gently. But now I sit in a cold cage surrounded by other animals. People walk by me everyday and I always
what they are getting into. An animal isn’t an iPod or a game that is meant for nothing but pure enjoyment. A pet will bring you a ton of happiness but you need to be ready to give a little to get a lot. I
have only ever been
thankful to uncaring people like this once, and that was
you. But, you never come and I am stuck wondering what I did wrong to make you give me away after such a short while.
hope
it’s
when
I
got
pet
and when
Animal shelters are facing an overflow of pets coming in since the holidays are over. People who receive pets as gifts just don’t seem to know
allow airport security screeners to see a three-dimensional outline of a person’s naked body. The scanners will be delivered to eight airports across the country over the next six to 10 weeks. Supporters of the technology say it is a less invasive way of searching passengers, and will only be used on passengers selected for secondary screening at airports. Critics view the technology as an invasion of privacy that viodignity.
However, the biggest problem I see with these scanners is how the government decided to implement them. Prior to Dec. 25, 2009, airport security was not a pressing issue
Canada. Passengers were able to fly throughout the world quickly and safely, with minimal security delays Following the Christmas
in
bomb
plot.
Transport Canada began security enhanced using measures for flights going to U.S. These measures include such ridiculous rules as not allowing carry-on luggage for certain flights, and prohibiting bathroom usage during parts of the flight. Although these new security measures are an inconvenience for travellers, they are a lucrative business for many companies. Each body scanner in Canada will cost taxpayers $250,000, and airport workers wfll require five days of training to be able to use them properly. Rapiscan, a manu-
the
of
body
much
the greatest
basket of love. Currently, the Guelph Humane Society has 22 cats
up
for adoption.
cats!
Twenty-two
And who knows how
many
they had to find foster for. Why do people see cats as an expendable item? I cannot believe the litters of kittens that end up there and the number of older cats who
homes
face a lifetimes behind bars.
Cats attach to their owners much as dogs do. My cat doesn’t leave my side
my cat away. believe that giving a pet as a gift is one of the biggest never give 1
mistakes anybody can make. Surprising someone with a pet doesn’t give that person the time she needs to prepare for the animal or even really consider if she wants the pet. Because of this simple mistake thousands of animals end up on the street, locked in shelters or put down due to an overflow of animals. Please, make sure that you can take care of any animals
just as
you decide to get and
when
thinking of giving a pet as a gift, don’t. There is no return policy on animals.
I
next to
am home and curls up me at night. I could
if
you’re
»
inform » involve
proud to host our winter•••
Chris
Batt
has ordered 44 body scanners, which use X-ray imaging to
facturer
got too
inspire
is
war on terror. The Canadian government
airline
it
is
weapon
in the
Day
puppy
missing. She
is
dog 1 have ever owned and you are missing out on a big
Studen
Planning on travelling by
human
perfect
she was turned out onto the street. At only five months old my dog* was left to fend for herself and ended up behind bars at the Guelph Humane Society. Whoever gave her up does not know what he or she
airplane this year? Prepare to
lates basic
my
Juno. She had been a holiday
a costly measure latest
Page 5
shelters face overflow
Airport scanners
meet Canada’s
SPOKE
s^
ers.
Opinion
US contract to produce 150 scanners received a $25-million
government. Despite the high cost and sophisticated technology used in these scanners, they are far from foolproof. According
j
for the U.S.
one manufacturer of scanthey would not have stopped the Christmas Day bomb plot that caused the
i
;
Looking for a way to get involved on campus?
to
ners,
demand
in the first place. This rush for new security measures is completely out of
proportion with the threat proposed. Heart attacks, cancer, stroke and other common ailments harm or kill far more people than terrorists could ever imagine. The government would save far more fives by taking the milhons of dollars required to buy scanners, and use it for smoking prevention and cancer research. What these enhanced secumeasures are really rity about is blame. No country wants to be blamed for another terrorist attack, and many are wilhng to spend millions
j
' I
/fy/
f
|
,
‘
Come drop by and see
how you can! Thursday January 24th ii:ooam > 2:00pm Student Life Centre
|
i
i
|
of taxpayer dollars to avoid this blame.
The purchase and use
of
body scanners is a knee-jerk reaction to one of many air security threats that reactionary approach to airport
travel
emerge regularly. This
threatening our liberties, while doing lit-
security civil
tle to
is
make
air travel safer.
the goal of terrorism is to spread panic and fear, the If
Christmas Day bomb plot was successful.
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Page 6
Monday, January 18, 2010
SPOKE
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NEWS
Monday, January 18, 2010
SPOKE
Page 7
Students build their own R2-D2s and CPSOs Then
it’s
a robot race to the finish
’
jSS
By ALEX COOKE
Second-year robotics students gathered to show off their creatures in an informal race at Boon campus last month.
The event was an incentive to build a creative robot that
could follow a black line on a
Students were informed
ti’ack.
of the project in September.
"There are light sensors to the line,” explained John Tielemans, program coordinator of mechanical engineering and technology, I’obotics and automation, while around 35 students cheered, and jeered, for 18 robots, with names such as follow
Chicken Waffle, T-Racks and Schaden Freud. The track was around six feet by three feet, with a black stripe around the cen-
The students had learned
tre.
to place special sensors on their robots that look for the stripe, and follow it.
They couldn’t just buy kit,
they had to build
Taylor, a
informal competition’s winner,
Schaden Freud.
home.
took me four or five months to build the big Johnny 5.” Mair said. “It only took me one month to build
Dobson
At the end of two hours of
and
robotics, electronics
gramming
pro-
to the second-year
students. “They couldn’t just buy a kit, they had to build it themselves.”
Bob Mair, a mature student to Conestoga after a spinal injury, built the most
who came
recognizable
His
class.
the
robot
in
was
custom
had a winner. John Taylor, a mature stu-
races, the class
dent,
won
entry,
Schaden Freud. started planning
“I
the races with his in
September,” said Taylor. “I think the extra time I used helped me to win.” Taylor was a truck driver before a knee injury ended that career. Through the Workplace Safety Insurance Board Taylor enrolled in the robotics program. He said he was drawn to the program because of the exceptional jobs in the industry. “I sort of stumbled into it,” he said. “I enjoy all aspects of the program.”
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University Are you thinking about going to university after college? University Visits Inside
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Wednesday January
2010 Griffith University / KOM Consultants Information Session on Monday, January 25, 2010 from 10:00 - 11:00 in Classroom 3E31 13,
Saginaw Valley State University Thursday, January 21st University Canada West Friday, January 22nd, 2010 University of
Guelph-Humber
Monday, January 25th
Alqoma
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January 29th Laurentian University Friday, February 12th, 2010 Friday,
University of Western Sydney/ Griffith University Tuesday February 23, 2010 University of Western Sydney/ Griffith University
Thursday March 25, 2010
Skate Park, Theatre, Tech Theatre, Circus,
Crafts, Pioneering, Climbing Tower,
Plenty of free time.
Not too
it
this httle one.”
There was a point system for the round rohin part of the competition, to determine who was the fastest and slowest of the bunch. The fastest were pitted against the slowest for further ehmination. "It’s a free-form robot the students had to build,” said Chris Dohson, who teaches
PHOTO BY ALEX COOKE Second-year robotics student, Alfredo Lozano, does some last minute touches to the wheels of the D.A.G. team s robot, while around 30 of his classmates ooh and aah over each other's creations in the background.
in
September, and credited his success to the extra time he spent on the project.
in glass cases at his
it
themselves. Chris
Taylor started
planning his design
“Fd say
-
second-year
robotics student, created the
designed to look like Johnny 5, a popular robot from the ’80s film. Short Circuit. “I have a life-sized one at home,” Mair explained. “But he doesn’t move around.” Mair has also built a lifesized Yoda and ET, which are
how
a
PHOTO BY ALEX COOKE John
information, info@islandlake.com.
Should you require assistance, please visit the Career Resource Centre, Student Life Centre, room 1A105 for an appointment.
OPINION
Page 8 ‘SPOKE
miss
I
Monday, January 18, 2010
TV shows from the ’90s anymore as she was “gaining weight.” In response she started taking diet pills. That same day Urkel took at
Over the Christmas holiI filled up on turkey, stuffing and everything else my mother threw on a plate,
what
used to be. I realized back to my normal cable TV channels and seeing, not just the
friends
hopes of giving her poor student daughter a delicious meal she would never forget. Despite the stomach ache I had afterwards, this was the life. It wasn’t until I heard a popular theme song coming from the living room that I
spamming
least five
in
actually got up. Memories of the early ’90s flashed through my mind as I
entered
the
Steve
room.
Urkel, Laura Winslow and my personal favourite, Carl Winslow, ran across the
it
this after flipping
days
Opinion
screen, fighting, as
never
if
they had
left.
The day became a complete blur to both my family and I, as
we spent
the remainder of
having a Family Matters marathon together, like the
it
old days.
Later that day
aware that
I
became
television is not
of
Christmas
movies, but the number of shows about brutal deaths and other violence. They
were accompanied by The O.C. and So You Think You Can Dance, which both seem to
be replayed constantly in
marathon form. It was nice to go back to a much more simple way of life, one where Laura Winslow’s biggest problem was she couldn’t get on top of the pyramid with her cheerleader
and went
off his
rocker.
Unlike
my
early bird par-
was up until about 2 a.m. on YouTube trying to rekindle my bond with televients,
I
sion shows from the ’80s to the early ’90s. Although I am a ’90s baby, I grew up with two older siblings so I was familiar with references to Blossom, Step by Step, Full
House, Boy Meets World and even a little Power Rangers. My favourite show used to
be Boy Meets World. It was the mixture of Topanga
Lawrence and Cory Matthews’ weird relationship and the oddly familiar living room that got me. However, the next week I spent sick as a dog so the majority of my time was spent watching my mom laugh over Eric Matthews’ stupidity.
All of the episodes hit home, even if they were cheesy and cheaply made. At least the
characters could act. I
wish today’s shows were and a little more
less violent
cheesy.
BACK TO SCHOOL and back to work
PHOTO BY GREG COWAN It
doesn’t take long to get back
in
the groove of things. Second-
year practicai nursing students Shanteo Yost, front, and Melissa
Lopes
hit
the books on the
first
day back to school on Jan. 11.
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Monday, January 18,
2010
SPOKE Page 9
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Page 10
NEWS
SPOKE
Monday, January 18, 2010
New semester, new season of sports Week ofJan.
78,
2070 By FREEMAN CARTER
boot. This semester, basket-
ball will not be offered,
Libra
Aries March
21
April 19
This weekend a Chinese conglomerate will buy the corporation where you are employed. This may or may not affect your employment.
April 20
-
spend this week catching up on the episodes of the new Kids in the Hall miniseries. Enjoy it but beware of its dark humour.
You
will
Taurus -
With the
September 23 October 22
-
Scorpio
May 20
October 23
November
On Thursday
a large marmoset will escape from a zoo and attempt to eat your
tongue. Please remember that you can likely sell it to someone as a pet.
-
21
At some point this week you will be attacked by Bill
Murray dressed Don’t
kill
as a zombie. is simply in
him; he
costume trying
to
21
On Tuesday a man in
a yellow hat will ask you to help him find his monkey that is floating overhead using balloons. Call
(2^^.
animal
car salesman will offer you a deal on a 2010 Saturn. There are no 2010 Saturns so he is trying to
you
off.
July 22
crash into because of the weather. He will say he does not need snow tires because he has all-wheel drive. Punch him.
December 22
-
At some point on the weekend someone will try and steal your soul using a book they checked out of the library. They deserve a punch to the nose.
hockey champs Bar Down, dodge ball winners Defending
turnover-causing defence that fans are accustomed to watching saw the Ravens switch the roles between the teams. Tom Brady played the worst
game
of his career in
throwing three interceptions and losing one fumble. The offence really felt the loss of Wes Welker and the defence, like all year, could not stop the run and could not generate a pass rush.
The
Leo -
semes-
team. This semester, Conestoga students have the option of playing ice hockey, dodge ball, indoor soccer and ball hockey. Also available, for the first time ever, is indoor co-ed touch rugby. This is a student selected intramural and its future will depend on the interest garnered this semester. However, adding a new sport means one will get the
playoff
sedan will your home
idiot in his
July 23
first
ter.
and grit in mounting a comeback and the dominant offence of 2007, like for most of the 2009 season, did not show up. The hard-nosed,
!
An
waning support
First semester’s championship teams included ball
Champs
Tight,
A
Pool
ice
hockey champions Elora Boys and Pool B ice hockey victors Shuntz. This is a new season though, and teams from first semester are not guaranteed a spot. Both teams and individuals are wanted, and registration forms can be printed off at www.conestogac. on.ca/recreation/sports/intra-
murals/signupsheet.pdf. If competition isn’t to your liking, new fitness classes will start on Jan. 18, while
both open student skating and shinny hockey have already started up on Mondays and Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m. for skating, and shinny hockey running 2 to 4 p.m.
More information can be found
at www.conestogac. on.ca/recreation/sports/intramur als/index j sp If you have any questions, contact Katie McCartney at 519-748-5220, ext. 2317, or .
kmccartney@conestogac. on.ca.
They have lost many key players on the defensive to do.
side of the ball since their
Super Bowl wins. Players such as Teddy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel,
tle fight
L 3.T1CCT -
new
beaten in every aspect of the game by the Baltimore Ravens. The Pats showed lit-
A
rip
control.
June 22
:
of a
semester under your belt, maybe now is the time to join intramural a Conestoga
With the end of a decade comes the end of a football dynasty. Last Sunday the New England Patriots were
June 21
-
week
to
Patriots no longer dominating
make you
laugh.
Gemini May
first
due
golden
standard
whom we have come accustomed too throughout the past decade are no more. After two disappointing seasons, last year in which they did not make the playoffs and Patriots
year
this
getting
after
bounced in the wild card round, we have seen the last of the dominating dynasty which won three Super Bowls in four years.
The offence still has the key players to become an elite offence again once Brady gets his timing back and his knee injury out of his head, but the defence has a lot of rebuilding
Rodney
Harrison,
Asante Samuel and Richard Seymour were key components to their success and their loss has really shown this season. Their secondary
was taken advantage of all season and with no pass rush, the
opposing
quarterbacks
had all day to throw the ball. Coach Bill Belichick is probably regretting his decision to trade his only proven pass rusher, Richard Seymour, to the Raiders at the start of the season. The defence no longer intimidates their opponents and for a team that won three championships with their defence, that is a sign, to quote Bob Dylan, “the times they are a changin’.”
Aquarius
August
January 20
Coiinsehor’s
-
Comer
February 18
22
This weekend you will be astounded to see a very fast man running nude down your street as he is chased by a nude woman on a scooter.
During the week you
WelcoiTie from Counselling Services
will
get a skin tag caught in a zipper, tearing it off. This will be painful but prove to be an inexpensive alternative to surgical removal.
Association
To those
students are beginning their cotiege (^ireer at Ccmestoga, weteome! Right now you are probaWy exceed about opporkJinities to team more about your area of study, meet other students and Just fIrKi your way around campus. As well, we encourage you to take advantage of the many serwces that Counselling Services have designed to help students be aiccessM.
Today,
1 in
5 people can help you resolve barriers that stand in the readiing your educational goa^s. Arrange to see a cornsellor if you have academic or personal otncems during your time at Conestoga. Groups Professionally trained counsellors
with diabetes
Virgo
Pisces
August 23 September 22
February 19
survives heart disease.
and workshofM are offered for such issues as performance management and relaxation.
Help reverse the trend.
Counselling
-
March 20
way of you
refer
is
free to students, voluntary
anxiety, stress
and confictential. Counsellors can also
you to other College and community resources that csm help.
Visit getserious.ca
On Thursday an obese person who has decided to streak
nude through the
halls will crash into you.
A man
dressed as Luke Skywalker will hit you with a plastic lightsaber and tell you that you are not his
To those back!
students
who are
returning for another semester oi study,
welcome
We hope the coming term px'ovfcles fresh ideas and chitferrges, new
friends
and
see us
in
activities
and
Mngs you doser to your academic goals! Come and we can help in any way.
Counselling Services
if
father. Call 911.
Nick Dasko
is
journalism student
up
for
a second-year
who makes
Counselling Services; lAlOl Student Life Centre
these
your amusement. www.conestogac.on.ca/counsellingf
NEWS
Monday, January 18, 2010
SPOKE
BIRDS OF A FEATHER flock together
PHOTO BY SARAH MACINTOSH At winter orientation on Jan. 7, students gathered in the rec centre to
meet other people
in their pro-
gram.
Coming to Canada allows us to share each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultures. We [earn from one another. Thank You
for Being the Difference
CONESTOGA
Despite
frigid
temperatures, mallard ducks
still
swim
in
PHOTO BY MICHELLE SOMMER in Woodstock.
the pond at Southside Park
*
Page 11
Page 12
Monday, January 18, 2010
SPOKE
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PRIZES
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.--.
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